Last modified: 22 May 2019 17:07
Field based course that takes you across northeast Scotland exploring an ancient tropical rainforest, hill farming in action, survey techniques and soil formation.
A long tradition of soil science teaching at the University of Aberdeen assembled into lectures and field trips delivered by senior academics.
Your assessments are geared towards developing practical skills. This includes a presentation on a particular soil that requires research akin to detective work, and a quiz on soil classification. We expect students to keep a detailed log of field trips to learn survey techniques and to consult for the quiz. An essay will also assessed.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | None. | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Considers the factors and processes that form soils; the aspects that govern the distribution and evolution of soils in a local, regional and global scale; the interaction of soils with biological processes and their susceptibility to environmental change; the classification and taxonomy of soils; and the use of mapping in land capability and other practices. Weekly field trips provide hands-on experience across northeast Scotland.
None
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
1st Attempt: Soil Taxonomy Presentation 30%
Essay 40%
Soil Classification Quiz 30%
The quiz will test students on course material and also the field trips. There will still be an expectation of clear note-taking on field trips. Essay questions will require students to use critical thought to address a challenge related to soil sustainability, requiring knowledge of processes involved in formation and degradation, in addition to potential global/regional differences due to soil properties.
Resit: Resubmission of failed individual elements of continuous assessment
A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during discussions, field trips, practicals and presentations.
Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments.
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